Volkswagen’s latest Minivan (formerly known as a People carrier), the Routan, is designed to fit perfectly into the European car market in terms of quality, design and technology. It will, however, only be available in the Americas and will be made in a Chrysler factory in Windsor Canada.
Volkswagen are determined to keep the Routan as a real, European VW even if it will never cross the Atlantic (officially anyway).
A quick glance at the specification of the Routan and it becomes clear that Volkswagen have worked very hard at making their Minivan totally different from anything similar that will be leaving the Chrysler factory. Features include:~ 12V power outlets, ABS, air conditioning, auto-dip interior rear view mirror, Bluetooth connectivity, ESP, heated seats, hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), keyless entry with remote start, multi-function steering wheel, power lift tailgate, rear park assist, rear seat entertainment system (which includes a hard-drive based music centre, MP3 and USB connectivity, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, a DVD player and up to two nine inch roof mounted flat screen monitors capable of independent operation!), touch screen Sat Nav, under floor storage and xenon headlamps.
The Routan is no shrinking violet; it is 5.14m long, 1.95m wide and 1.75m tall and comes with a choice of 2 V6 petrol motors ~ either 3.8 or 4 litre. Neither of these engines nor the 6 speed automatic transmission are Volkswagen units and this seems very strange indeed. For a company that produces excellent TDI engines and DSG transmissions it seems a little strange to be trusting reliability and economy to Chrysler.
Internally there is no doubt that the Routan is a European creation (well a creation of a European company at least), externally it is a similar story, mechanically it is different and this may make-or-break Volkswagen’s first minivan in America and Canada foray for years.
With pricing expected to start at under US$25,000 there is good scope for typical Volkswagen sales figures but one does wonder how well received the T5 would be ~ especially with the wide selection of engines and transmissions it offers. The Routan may be a tow-in-the-water before a truly European Minivan appears in Volkswagen dealerships on the other side of the Atlantic.
Volkswagen are determined to keep the Routan as a real, European VW even if it will never cross the Atlantic (officially anyway).
A quick glance at the specification of the Routan and it becomes clear that Volkswagen have worked very hard at making their Minivan totally different from anything similar that will be leaving the Chrysler factory. Features include:~ 12V power outlets, ABS, air conditioning, auto-dip interior rear view mirror, Bluetooth connectivity, ESP, heated seats, hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), keyless entry with remote start, multi-function steering wheel, power lift tailgate, rear park assist, rear seat entertainment system (which includes a hard-drive based music centre, MP3 and USB connectivity, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, a DVD player and up to two nine inch roof mounted flat screen monitors capable of independent operation!), touch screen Sat Nav, under floor storage and xenon headlamps.
The Routan is no shrinking violet; it is 5.14m long, 1.95m wide and 1.75m tall and comes with a choice of 2 V6 petrol motors ~ either 3.8 or 4 litre. Neither of these engines nor the 6 speed automatic transmission are Volkswagen units and this seems very strange indeed. For a company that produces excellent TDI engines and DSG transmissions it seems a little strange to be trusting reliability and economy to Chrysler.
Internally there is no doubt that the Routan is a European creation (well a creation of a European company at least), externally it is a similar story, mechanically it is different and this may make-or-break Volkswagen’s first minivan in America and Canada foray for years.
With pricing expected to start at under US$25,000 there is good scope for typical Volkswagen sales figures but one does wonder how well received the T5 would be ~ especially with the wide selection of engines and transmissions it offers. The Routan may be a tow-in-the-water before a truly European Minivan appears in Volkswagen dealerships on the other side of the Atlantic.
